September 24, 2005

Have faith in God –
Doubt is a night without a star;
Have faith in God –
Which is the sunrise glow afar;
Have faith in God –
It shines upon you where you are.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Jesus, I am Resting, Resting

Jean Sophia Piggot, 1845-1882

    This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. Isaiah 30:15.

    John Wesley, the flaming evangelist of the 18th Century, once stated that Christians must "learn to live with a slack rein". If that were true then, it is even more necessary in the hectic pace lived today. We all need times of relaxation, rest, and renewal. Even Christian workers can experience "burn-out" while engaged in worthwhile activities for God.
    Resting in Jesus is an important development in our Christian maturity. It is something we must learn to practice daily regardless of life's pressures and circumstances. It must be in the present tense, not a nostalgic memory from the past. Although this principle is easier stated than practiced, we must consciously learn to relax and enjoy God's presence; to allow God to absorb our inward worries and conflicts; to allow Him to energize us with His love and power. One of the best times for this is during our daily devotions. Take time to meditate on Him, on His Word. And take an extra portion of this restful time with Him on the Sabbath, which He instituted for man, for rest!
    The author of this thoughtful text, Jean Sophia Pigott, was born and lived in Ireland. She wrote this text in 1876. The composer, James Mountain, was an English Baptist minister, writer, and musician. He is best remembered today for several of his surviving hymn tunes, including Everlasting Love (I am His, and He is Mine), Tranquility (the tune to this hymn), and Wye Valley (Like a River Glorious).
    The story is told of Hudson Taylor, missionary statesman to China, in the terrible days of the Boxer uprising there. As one report followed another of mission stations being destroyed and missionaries massacred, Taylor remained quietly at his desk, singing softly these words that he loved so dearly:

Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,
And Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power,
Thou hast made me whole.

O, how great Thy loving kindness,
Vaster, broader than the sea!
O, how marvelous Thy goodness,
Lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in Thee, Belovèd,
Know what wealth of grace is Thine,
Know Thy certainty of promise,
And have made it mine.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,
Satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings,
Meets, supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings:
Thine is love indeed!

Ever lift Thy face upon me
As I work and wait for Thee;
Resting ’neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,
Earth’s dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father’s glory,
Sunshine of my Father’s face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting,
Fill me with Thy grace.

Chorus:
Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.

Have Faith in God by H.M.S. Richards, Used by Permission